Notary Public
District of Columbia
Notary Public Commission Requirements
Governing Authority
Office of the Secretary of the District of Columbia, Office of Notary Commissions and Authentications (ONCA)
Official website →5 years
Commission Term
before renewal
No
Education Required
no course needed
No
Exam Required
no exam needed
$2,000
Bond Required
surety bond
Application Process
VerifiedComplete the online DC Notary Application through the ONCA website
Select your notary commission type (Residential, Business/Government, or Dual)
For Business/Government applications: include a typed letter from your supervisor on letterhead with a physical DC address and phone number
For Residential applications: include a self-letter on personal letterhead explaining residential use
Wait for initial review (2-3 business days) and receive email notice to pay
Pay the non-refundable $75 application fee online via credit card (DC/federal government employees are exempt)
Complete the mandatory New Notary Orientation (required for first-time applicants and those with commissions lapsed 12+ months)
Obtain required supplies: surety bond ($2,000) and notary seal/jurat stamp
Complete the Oath of Office form
Receive commission certificate (total processing approximately 45-60 days)
Basic Requirements
Minimum Age
18 years old
Residency
Varies by commission type: Residential Commission requires DC residency; Business/Government Commission requires primary employment/business within DC (may live outside DC); Dual Commission requires both living and working in DC
Citizenship
Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident
Background Check
Not required
Education & Exam Requirements
Education
Not RequiredNo formal education or training course required. However, a mandatory orientation session is required for first-time applicants and those whose commissions have lapsed for more than 12 months. The orientation covers DC notarial laws via the Notary Public Handbook.
Exam
Not RequiredNo exam is required. Applicants must complete a mandatory orientation session instead.
Bond, Insurance & Seal
Surety Bond
Required$2,000
A $2,000 surety bond is required for the 5-year commission term. DC/federal government employees commissioned solely for government employment may be exempt from the bond requirement.
Errors & Omissions Insurance
Not RequiredE&O insurance is not required but many notaries choose to purchase it for additional protection.
Seal / Stamp
RequiredNotary seal embosser required (circular border, max 1.75 inches). A separate jurat stamp is also needed for jurat notarizations.
Fee Breakdown
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee | $75 |
Bond Premium Cost of a $2,000 five-year surety bond. No credit check required for notary bonds. | $50 |
Stamp / Seal Includes notary seal embosser and jurat stamp. Purchased from private vendors. | $65-$70 |
Total Estimated Cost Application ($75) + Bond (~$50) + Seal/Jurat stamp ($65-$70) + Journal ($30-$55). DC/federal government employees may be exempt from the application fee. | $229-$260 |
Commission Term & Renewal
Commission Term
5 years
Renewal Process
Submit a renewal application online with $75 fee. Orientation may be required if commission has lapsed for more than 12 months.
Renewal Fee
$75
Remote Online Notarization (RON)
DC has recently enacted remote online notarization legislation. A pilot program has been implemented. Interested applicants must complete an interest form. Full details are pending further announcements.
Additional Requirements
Must complete an interest form; details pending further implementation
Important Notes
What Makes District of Columbia Unique
DC has one of the most complex application processes with three distinct commission types (Residential, Business/Government, Dual), each with different residency requirements. Business/Government applicants need a letter from their supervisor on company letterhead. DC also requires two separate stamping devices: a seal embosser AND a jurat stamp. The processing time of 45-60 days is among the longest in the nation. DC/federal government employees enjoy fee exemptions, and RON is still in a pilot phase rather than fully implemented.
DC is not a state but has its own notary commission process governed by the Office of the Secretary
Three types of commissions: Residential (must live in DC), Business/Government (must work in DC), and Dual (must live and work in DC)
DC/federal government employees are exempt from the $75 application fee
Government employees commissioned solely for government work may be exempt from the bond requirement
Mandatory orientation required for new applicants (not an exam)
Processing takes approximately 45-60 days
Application must be typed (not handwritten)
Business/Government applicants need a supervisor's letter on letterhead
Requires both a seal embosser AND a jurat stamp (two separate items)
No credit check required for notary bond underwriting
RON is being implemented via pilot program
⚠ Data Conflicts Found
The following fields have conflicting information across sources.
remote_online_notarization
The NNA page states RON was 'recently enacted' with 'details available pending further announcement', while the DC ONCA site references a pilot program with an interest form. The exact status and full requirements of DC RON are still being developed.